Pushp- A Flower of Many Hues- Pushp and Hindi in Kashmir

Prof  Vir Vishveshwar 

Professor P.N. Pushp, an eminent educationist, litterateur and linguist, passed away in New Delhi on September 19, 1996, leaving behind, apart from his kith and kin, thousands of his admirers, colleagues and students for all of whom he was a friend, philosopher and guide.

A condolence meeting was held at Sahitya Akademi Hall in Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, on the 25th September 1996 under the chairmanship of Shri Pran Nath Jalali, the veteran journalist. A galaxy of writers, artists, poets, journalists, educationists and social workers had assembled to pay tributes to the memory of Professor Pushp Among those who spoke on the occasion and feelingly referred to the voluminous contribution made by Pushpji to the literacy firmament of Kashmir besides Shri Jalali, were Dr (Mrs) Kapila Vatsaya, Smt. Padma Sachdev, Shri S.N. Bhatt 'Haleem', Shri Moti Lal Saqi, Shri Ghulam Rasool Santosh, Prof CL. Sapru, Prof Harikrishan Kaul, Shri Shantiveer Kaul and Mrs. Chandrakanta

A two-minute silence was also observed as a mark of respect to the departed soul

We reproduce hereunder personal recollections by some of Professor Pushp's former students, colleagues and contemporaneous, about their association with him and what they had learnt from him.

-Editor.

Pushp and Hindi in Kashmir

Prof  Vir Vishveshwar 

Hindi wave  swept Srinagar (J&K) during mid- 30s and early 40s. It was an awakening sequel to the famous 'Roti-agitation' in Kashmir. Pushp and Hindi are synonymous, in a way, when we talk about 'Hindi in Kashmir'. His zest for Hindi and Zeal for giving it a place of privilege in Kashmir has been admirable, particularly when Persian and Urdu were in vogue there. Personalised Urdu was the court language in the state. Even Kashmiri Pandits' annual 'Panchangs' used to be published in Persian script. Correspondence and communications in our ceremonies, rituals and 'Hyot Dyut' too were usually in persianised Urdu. This situation prompted youth in the state to lead a crusade for propagation of Hindi amongst the Hindu gentry in J&K. Pushpji was in the forefront. The movement got a fillip when he became lecturer in Hindi & Sanskrit in SP College, Srinagar and later in PW College Jammu. I have been associated with him in the campaign in Kashmir almost right from the beginning.

My first meeting with Sri Prithvi Nath Bhatt, 'Pushp' was in early 30's at Arya Samaj Nagrik (Bhawan) then located at Kharghar, Habbakadal. After the normal 'Satsang', he read his versified Hindi Translation of the six 'SHIVA SANKALPA' Yajurvedic Richaas' in lucid Hindi, which fascinated me. This first meeting was intimate and impressive. He expressed that he had heard about me and wanted to meet me. We later met in Sri Pratap College, Srinagar in 1936. Where he was three years senior to me. Though distantly related to him from his in-laws side, we were closer because of our common tutor Professor JL Kaul (Talib) who was the then Head of the Deptt. of Hindi in SP College. Pushpji was then the editor of the Hindi section of 'Pratap the college, magazine. This way my another fascination for him and his activities relating Hindi in the college I later took over the editor-ship of the Hindi, Kashmiri & Urdu Section of the Pratap' from 1937 to 1940. I would admit the motivation was his.

I distinctly remember the Kumbh Mela at Shadipur Srinagar in mid 30s where we distributed the first Hindi handout of its kind in Kashmir The thronging Hindu crowds at Dashehara', the Kumbh fair motivated Pushpji to draft an appeal on behalf of 'Matri Bhasha Hindi' entitling it as 'HINDI KI PUKAAR' in order to focus the pilgrims' attention on Hindi and its importance in the state. Despite the raging storm on the day we both went on handing in the handout, distributing these to all the people assembled there and those in the tents. People appreciated the initiative.

Campaign for popularising Hindi gained its momentum in the valley from early 40s'. "CHANDRODAYA' and 'MAHABIR' the Hindi Weeklies were pioneers in the field. Pushpji edited 'CHANDRODAYA'. 'MAHABIR' was edited by Sri Dinanath (Kachroo) Deen and me. Pushpji and I both contributed to the weeklies regularly. The untimely demise of Smt. Pursharthavati, the budding poetess, moved Pushp. Smt. Pursharthavati was daughter of the Veteran Aryasamajist Lala Chiranjit Lal of Hazooribagh and wife of the celebrated Hindi writer Chandragupta Vidyalankaar. Pushp wrote his first critical appreciation 'Antarvedana' reviewing Pursharthavati's Poems The essay was published in 11th to 25th June, 1940 weekly issues of the Mahabir' This to my mind was the beginning of his critical appreciation of Hindi Poems. These weeklies enthused Hindi loving young active workers and helped their coordination to popularise Hindi. They convassed from door to door requesting the Hindu gentry to correspond in Hindi. It was stressed that the beginning be made by writing addresses in Devanagari Hindi on their mailing letters. I remember postmen approaching me and Hindi workers to read out the addresses to help them deliver the letters to the addresses.

Soon after Pushpji was posted to Jammu. He made the Hindi Department a lever for popularising Hindi, organising meetings, seminars, debates, and symposia etc. in his college. Meanwhile I started and established Hindi Sahitya Parishad with its office at Malayar, Habbakadal. The Parishad won recognition by Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Prayag (Allahabad), Nagri Pracharini Sabha, (Varanasi) Kashi, and Rashtra Bhasha Pracharini Sabha, Wardha, in a short span of six months. Pandit Amar Nath Kak was elected as President of the Parishad in 1941. The campaign gained the desired momentum. Hindi classes were organised at various centres with main branches at the Parishad Office, Kathleshwar and Mahabir Office Free literature and stationery were distributed among the boys and the girls who were coached and prepared for Hindi 'PARICHAYA' and 'KOVID' preliminary Hindi examination introduced by Hindi Sahitya Sammelan Allahabad. Parishad was affiliated to the Sammelans Zonal HeadQuarters at Abohar, (Distt. Firozpur, Punjab) for these examinations. Many of the examiness won prizes from the Sahitya Sammelan. I was in continued contact with Pushpji seeking his views in the venture.

The span of about 60 years of association with Pushpji has been too long to discuss his multidimensional efforts in other fields as principal, Asstt. Director Research and Publications (J&K), Director Libraries, Museums and Archives (J&K) besides his services to the cause of Hindi and Kashmiri languages and literature, his valuable contribution to the Sahitya Akademy and various Hindi Associations in India. I have listed only few relative incidents, sticking to my memory-the incidents of his love and work for Hindi. His dedication won him appreciation and awards from various institution some of which are as under-

J&K Cultural Forum-1973

Hindi Sahitya Sammelan Nagpur-1975

Hindi Writers' Union Kerala & U.P

Hindi Sansthan, Lucknow-1987

My spell of 30 years' (1949-1979) of Army service caused slight gap in our associated activities for Hindi but we were in touch alright. I kept a tag on his achievements and Hindi activities. His love has been abounding throughout. I value him as my close friend and nourish appreciation for him as a pioneer in Hindi campaign in J & K

Prof  Vir Vishveshwar

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Courtesy:  1996 November, Koshur Samachar